By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Stephanie Pradnyaparamita from Indonesia

The Asian Games 2018 are just around the corner.

On Wednesday, July 4, Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-Beom and Chairman Yang Young Yun of the Korea Association in Indonesia launched the Joint Committee of the Republic of Korea Government and Korean Community, the "ROK Joint Committee," to support the success of the Asian Games 2018 that are to be held in Jakarta and Palembang starting on Aug. 18.

As many people know, this year Indonesia is going to be the host for the Asian Games for the second time, the last time being in 1962. The Asian Games 2018 will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 and will cover 40 different kinds of sports.

During the launching event for the committee, there were around 70 people gathered and they came from the Korean Cultural Center in Indonesia (KCC), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the Korean Association in Indonesia, the National Unification Advisory Council-Southern South East Asia Chapter, the Korean Sport Association in Indonesia, the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Association (OKTA), the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (KOCHAM), the Korea Freedom Federation in Indonesia (KFF), the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea, the Jakarta Indonesia Korean School (JIKS), the Korean Journalist Association in Indonesia (KOJA), the Korean Women's International Network in Indonesia (KOWIN), the Korean Culture Study Association (KOWJ) the Indonesia and Korean Culture Study Association and from the National Sports Committee of Korea Indonesia (KONI).

This ROK Joint Committee, as a supporter for the Asian Games 2018, will work together with Korean athletes who compete in the Games. Besides supporting the athletes, it will also accommodate Koreans who wants to watch the events live.

The Korean government has opened a temporary consular office in Palembang because there is no diplomatic office in that city from Korea. The Korean government decided to do this to support all the Korean athletes while they are there, and as a preventive step in case there is any emergency situation that needs a fast response.

Besides this, the ROK Joint Committee will try to increase pride among the Korean diaspora across Indonesia by working together for the success of the Asian Games 2018.

Meanwhile, South Korea and North Korea are expected to come with one team in several events during the Asian Games 2018. The ROK Joint Committee will support those matches, too, as there will be a chance for peace and reconciliation between the two countries.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.